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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4078
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17th MARCH, 2026
PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES
4078. Shri Rahul Gandhi:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the schemes announced for Pulses, Cotton Technology, Vegetables and Fruits,
Hybrid Seeds and the proposed Makhana Board in Bihar have been operationalised, if so,
the scheme-wise progress made so far and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) the details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred for each of these schemes during
the last financial year;
(c) the timelines fixed for implementation of each scheme and the production, value-addition,
and farmer coverage targets set thereunder;
(d) the current production and productivity levels of pulses, cotton, vegetables, fruits and
hybrid seeds in the country as compared to the levels at the time of announcement of these
schemes; and
(e) whether the Government has finalised the location of the Makhana Board in Bihar, if so,
the details of the location thereof and the criteria adopted for its selection?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)
(a): The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses and the National Makhana Board have been
sanctioned. Proposals for the Cotton Mission, Vegetables & Fruits and National Mission on
High Yielding Seeds are under process.
(b) & (c): To achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, the Government of India has launched the
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, aimed at strengthening domestic production and
reducing dependence on imports while ensuring nutritional security. With a financial outlay of
₹11,440 crore over a six-year period, the mission places special emphasis on the promotion
of Tur (Arhar), Urad and Masoor. The programme seeks to increase pulses production to 350
lakh tonnes, expand the cultivation area by 35 lakh hectares—particularly in rice fallows and
through intercropping systems and to enhance productivity to 1,130 kg per hectare through
improved seed availability, better agronomic practices and strengthened extension support.
The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses has been launched in 2025-26 with an allocation
of ₹483.625 crore (Central Share) for FY 2025–26.Central Sector Scheme for Development of Makhana has total outlay of ₹476.03 crore
for a period of five years (2025–26 to 2030–31) with the objective of holistic development of
makhana sector. The scheme aims at the development of makhana sector by covering
production, post-harvest management, value addition, research and development, marketing,
branding and export promotion, and capacity building. It is proposed to implemented by the
National Makhana Board in coordination with makhana-producing states. During FY 2025–
26, an amount of ₹26.62 crore has been released to Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh,
Assam, Manipur and Uttarakhand through National Makhana Board under Central Sector
Scheme for Development of Makhana for various activities such as seed production, area
expansion, frontline demonstrations, capacity building of farmers, micro level processing
units, packhouses, research and development of Makhana, exposure visit, buyers-sellers
meets, seminars, etc.
(d) The production and productivity levels of Pulses, Cotton, and Fruits & Vegetables in FY
2024–25 are as follows:
Production (in Million MT) Productivity (Kg/ha)
Pulses 25.68 926
Cotton 29.72 440
Fruits & Vegetables 334.443 17716.29
(e): The location of Makhana Board is under finalization.
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